| Cat Supplies Article |
The cat (Felis silvestris catus), also known as the domestic cat or house cat to distinguish it from other felines, is a small carnivorous species of nocturnal mammal that is often valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin. It has been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must ingest the flesh of other animals to survive. Where other carnivorous mammals like bears and dogs commonly add to their diets of meat with fruits, berries, roots, and honey when available, by contrast all cats instinctively feed almost solely on meat.
Similarly as with its teeth, a cat's digestive tract has become specialized over time to suit its diet, having shortened in length to only those segments of intestine best able to break down proteins and fats from animal flesh. The evolved trait severely limits the cat's ability to properly digest, metabolize, and absorb plant-derived or synthesized nutrients, as well as certain fatty acids. For example, cats cannot convert the pro-vitamin A abundant in plants, to make vitamin A. Also, a number of required nutrients are not sufficiently available in plant matter to begin with; one critical absence is taurine, a key amino sulfonic acid for eye health. Taurine deficiency can cause a condition called macular degeneration wherein the cat's retina slowly degenerates, eventually causing irreversible blindness.
Due to the above, most felines eat fairly little if any plantstuffs. Yet it is nevertheless quite common for a cat to occasionally supplement its carnivorous diet with small amounts of grass, leaves, shrubs, houseplants, or other plant matter anyway. One theory suggests this behaviour is to facilitate regurgitation if their digestion is upset; another is that it perhaps introduces fibre or trace minerals to the diet. In this context, caution is recommended for cat owners because some houseplants are harmful to cats. The leaves of the Easter Lily can cause permanent and life-threatening kidney damage to cats. Philodendron are also poisonous to cats. Cat Fancy has a full list of plants harmful to cats.
As an exception to the general rule, certain domesticated cats are known to like vegetables. This happenstance may inspire some vegetarian or vegan pet owners to encourage or even impose their own dietary preferences upon their cats, often using commercially-available cat foods supplemented with chemically-synthesized taurine and other added nutrients to address nutritional shortfalls. However, it remains arguable as to whether or not such a vegetarian diet can in fact meet a cat's dietary requirements.
Additionally, cats have been known to develop a fondness for prepared human foods, normally such entrees which are rich in proteins or fats. However, a diet consisting only of human food (even if high quality meat) is unlikely to contain the balanced nutrition required by the cat. Cats normally are good self-regulators of diet; however, unlimited access to food, or excessive human-food 'treats', will often lead to the cat becoming obese, particularly if it is older or more sedentary. This may lead to several health complications, such as diabetes, especially in neutered males. Such health conditions can be prevented through diet and exercise (playing), especially for cats living exclusively indoors.
Cats can be fussy eaters (which may be due in some way to the aforementioned mutation which caused their species to lose sugar-tasting ability). Unlike most mammals, cats can voluntarily starve themselves indefinitely despite being presented with palatable food, even a food which they had previously readily consumed. This can happen when the vomeronasal or Jacobson's organ becomes accustomed to a specific food, or if the cats are spoiled by their owners, in which case the cat will reject any food that does not fit the pattern it is expecting. It is also known for cats to merely become bored with their given food and decide to stop eating until they are tempted into eating again. Although it is extremely rare for a cat to deliberately starve itself to the point of injury, the sudden loss of weight can cause a fatal condition called hepatic lipidosis, a liver dysfunction which causes pathological loss of appetite and reinforces the starvation, which can lead to death within as little as 48 hours.
Some cats have a fondness for catnip, which is sensed by their olfactory systems. While they generally do not consume it, they will often roll in it, paw at it, and occasionally chew on it. The effect is usually relatively short, lasting for only a few minutes. After two hours or less, susceptible cats gain interest again. Several other species of plants (such as mint) cause this effect, to a lesser degree.
Cats can also develop pica. Pica is a condition in which animals chew or eat unusual things such as fabric, plastic or wool. In cats, this is mostly harmless as they do not digest most of it, but can be fatal or require surgical removal if a large amount of foreign material is ingested (for example, an entire sock). It tends to occur more often in Burmese, Oriental, Siamese and breeds with these in their ancestry.
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 | Urine off Odor & Stain Remover FOR CATS (GALLON)
$34.52 |
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|  | Yeowww! 100% Organic ONE Catnip Pillow Cat Toy GREEN
$3.69 |
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 | Littermaid waste receptacle liners trash liners 100 pk
$7.49 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | "HUGE" Cat Tree Toy House Scratcher Post Furniture FC03
$9.99 |
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|  | 400 NEW LINERS for LITTERMAID WASTE RECEPTACLES
$22.00 |
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 | Lot of 3 lazer laser pointer 5 head C LOW S+H + 10 AG13
$3.33 |
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|  | Drinkwell Platinum Fountain Replacement Filters 3 Pack
$5.00 |
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 | NEW! 6-PACK Pill Pockets CHICKEN 9.6 oz (270 pockets)
$26.59 |
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|  | Bio Spot for Cats 5+ lbs 3 month supply - NEW in box -
$2.26 |
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 | Yeowww! 100% Organic ONE Catnip Pillow Cat Toy YELLOW
$3.69 |
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|  | Bach Rescue Remedy - Natural Stress Reliever (10 mL)
$9.99 |
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 | 1-2 years flea&tick CATS from*1*FRONTLINE PLUS*USA/EPA*
$19.99 |
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|  | RHINESTONE PET DOG CAT COLLAR - VELVET BLACK 3 ROWS!
$24.99 |
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 | 6 pk Colorful Zanies Feather Tail Mice Cat Kitten New
$4.95 |
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|  | K9 ADVANTIX FLEA KIT FOR DOGS 11-20 LBS 8 DOSES
$34.99 |
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 | WOW 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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|  | Retro Modern Pet Bed: cat small dog mid century ivory
$49.00 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 10 MONTHS DOSES UP TO 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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 | EPA- 8 Months Frontline PLus for Ccats- Ships FAST
$21.89 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 6 dose
$36.75 |
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 | 12 MONTH Advantage Orange for cats under 9lbs.
$104.99 |
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|  | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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 | 2 OZ. OF CATNIP 100% ORGANIC CAT TOYS GREEN - FRESH!!!!
$1.50 |
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|  | PLACEMAT For CATS I Don't Do Leftovers 13x19 NEW NWT
$8.00 |
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 | 24 LitterMaid LMR200 Waste Receptacles Containers New
$21.95 |
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|  | Ssscat Repels Cat/Dog Motion Activated Training Spray
$34.99 |
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 | Tiki Cat - Bulk Lot of Canned Cat Food
$35.95 |
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|  | LARGE WICKER RATTAN BED CAT LITTER COVER FREE SHIPPING
$119.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 8 MONTHLY DOSES
$18.99 |
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|  | Nutro MAX CAT Salmon & Whitefish-Chicken Supreme 48cans
$22.00 |
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 | SUPER 8 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$16.50 |
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|  | 12 LitterMaid LMR200 Waste Receptacles Containers New
$10.99 |
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~~FREE BAG of Natural Choice Cat Food Coupon!~~
$4.53 |
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|  | NEW! 6-PACK Pill Pockets SMALL 21 oz (210 pockets)
$33.95 |
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 | Pamper Your Cat With Homemade Food on CD
$1.25 |
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|  | 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS KIT FLEA CAT KITTEN GREEN 3 6 12
$19.93 |
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 | PLACEMAT For CATS Can't Believe I Ate Whole 13x19 NWT
$8.00 |
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|  | littermaid 11 waste receptacles and fan
$4.24 |
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 | MUD PIE Designer Crysta Cat w/Blue Crown Collar Charm
$7.96 |
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|  | Cat Collar Lavendar & Purple Bell with Sparkle New
$0.54 |
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 | SpotOn Plus for cats (As seen in Frontline's magazine)4
$9.99 |
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|  | NEW Littermaid ELITE Mega LME9000 Automatic Litterbox
$119.89 |
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 | LARGE WICKER RATTAN BED CAT LITTER COVER FREE SHIPPING
$119.99 |
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|  | Frontline Plus Cats 6 "FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 12 TOO!
$32.95 |
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 | NEW! 6-PACK Pill Pockets LARGE 45.6 oz (180 pockets)
$39.95 |
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|  | "THE MOUSE" RAISED CAT BOWL/DISH FEEDER / HANDMADE CUTE
$24.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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|  | FRONTLINE TOP SPOT flea med small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$19.99 |
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 | (20) $2.00/1 WORLD'S BEST CAT LITTER COUPONS 9/30/08
$0.99 |
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|  | Littermaid waste receptacle liners trash liners 200 pk
$12.49 |
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 | SHIPS FREE Small Cat Pet Wicker House Condo Bed NEW
$78.75 |
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|  | HUGE 16 MONTH SUPPLY OF FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS
$34.99 |
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 | RAISED CAT BOWL/HANDMADE/WE MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOUR CAT
$24.99 |
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|  | NEW! 6-PACK Pill Pockets SALMON 9.6 oz (270 pockets)
$26.59 |
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 | "THE BIG FISH" RAISED CAT BOWL/DISH FEEDER / HANDMADE
$20.00 |
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|  | PORTABLE CAT FERRET CAGE PLAY PEN CRATE NEW 37 X23X55
$114.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea tick control dog 23-44 lbs 6 dose
$36.75 |
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|  | fur mice -60 piece-natural colors
$8.99 |
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 | Bach Rescue Remedy -Stress Reliever Spray(20mL)
$14.99 |
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|  | *_* 68" Frolic Cat Tree Furniture House Scraching Post
$0.99 |
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 | 70" Cat Tree House Condo Scratcher Post Furniture F72
$0.99 |
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|  | Littermaid waste receptacle liners trash liners 400 pk
$20.99 |
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 | NEW CAT COMFORT ZONE FELIWAY PLUG IN DIFFUSER ONE KIT
$26.99 |
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|  | Cool New Cat or Dog Pet Bed Pad Mat Pillow for Crate
$12.34 |
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 | RAISED CAT BOWL / CAT DISH / FEEDER 15" HIGH HANDMADE
$20.00 |
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|  | Urine Off Odor & Stain Remover FOR DOGS (GALLON)
$32.99 |
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 | Multi Cat BIG Litter Box OVERSIZED LARGE BIG Cat Pan
$16.99 |
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|  | Bach Rescue Remedy -Natural Stress Reliever(20 mL)
$13.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.75 |
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|  | 8 MONTH FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CAT KITTEN 3 6 12 GREEN KIT
$19.89 |
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 | ADVANTAGE CAT FLEA 5 MONTHS DOSES OVER 9 POUNDS
$17.50 |
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|  | Peticure -Elite New In Box-As seen on TV
$61.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS flea control small dogs 0-22 lbs 6 dose
$18.95 |
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|  | for CATS, EPA - 8 Months of FRONTLINE - fAST Shpg
$21.89 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS cats FLEA & TICK med 16 month supply ~
$36.75 |
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|  | PLACEMAT For CAT DISH Today's Specials 13x19 NEW NWT
$8.00 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FOR CATS NEW IN BOX 3 MONTH SUPPLY USA
$34.99 |
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|  | CATS Frontline Plus (6 mo.)~ NOTT a KIT
$24.99 |
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 | FRONTLINE PLUS FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 8 MONTHLY DOSES
$18.99 |
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|  | NEW CAT COMFORT ZONE FELIWAY PLUG IN DIFFUSER 2 KITS
$53.98 |
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 | 12 MONTH Advantage Purple for cats over 9lbs.
$104.99 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE FLEA CONTROL FOR CATS 10 LBS AND UP 5 DOSES
$17.99 |
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 | Argo Petascope Airline Approved Small Pet Carrier Black
$65.00 |
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|  | 55" Cat Tree Condo House Scratcher Pet Furniture bed-03
$59.99 |
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 | MidWest Cages Cat Play Pen Model 130 - FREE BED!!
$97.95 |
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|  | NEW Littermaid ELITE Mega LME9000 Automatic Litterbox
$119.89 |
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 | CAT Frontline Plus (6 mo.) ~ NOTTa KIT
$24.99 |
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|  | New CAT SITTER DVD 1 I Cat Lover Gift Toy Pet Sitting
$11.99 |
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 | ADVANTAGE BOX FOR CATS UNDER 9 LBS 4 MONTH SUPPLY EPA 6
$33.99 |
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|  | Littermaid MEGA LM950+TENT Electric Litter Box Cat Maid
$129.89 |
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24+COUPONS FOR CAT FOOD, TREATS + MANY FREE ITEMS!!
$0.61 |
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|  | Yeowww! 100% Organic ONE Catnip Pillow Cat Toy PINK
$3.69 |
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 | Littermaid waste receptacle liners trash liners 1000 pk
$49.99 |
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|  | PLACEMAT For CAT DISH Buggy & Juliette 13x19 NEW NWT
$8.00 |
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 | Frontline Plus Cats 12 *FREE USA SHIPPING* 3 6 TOO!
$60.35 |
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|  | ADVANTAGE IN BOX FOR CATS OVER 9 LBS 4 MONTH SUPPLY EPA
$35.99 |
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 | DOG CAT PET BED 18X14
$22.95 |
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|  | .094 PET TENT CARRIER - BLUE - CAT ON CLOUD DESIGN NEW
$0.99 |
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